Norman Vincent Peale

Norman Vincent Peale (1898 - 1993) was a prominent Americanminister, motivational speaker, publisher and pastor of Marble Collegiate Church. He was one of the most influential religious figures of the 20th Century. He was also a prolific author who wrote the The Power of Positive Thinking, which has been sold over 20 million times and translated into over forty languages.[1] He wrote 45 other books, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom (the highest civilian honor in the United States) by President Ronald Reagan. Peale and his wife co-founded the largest religious/inspirational magazine in the world, Guidepost magazine, which now has a circulation of over 4.5 million subscribers.[2][3]

Norman Vincent Peale once said:

“

Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that.

”

Peale was also a Scottish Rite Freemason, 33°.[4] He was raised as a Methodist and ordained as a Methodist minister in 1922. In 1932 Peale changed his religious affiliation to the Reformed Church in America, and began his 52-year tenure as Pastor of Marble Collegiate Church in New York City.

He died of stroke on December 24, 1993 at age 95. Dr. Peale's wife, Ruth Stafford Peale, passed away in February of 2008.